For those two (or possibly three) of you that check back here periodically and usually find that I STILL haven't updated my blog are probably pleasantly surprised today.
Much of the delay in writing this time around is because I'm working on writing my Master's Thesis. This will undoubtedly be the longest thing I've ever written at about 50 pages or so. I hope to even have more. As of this time I've written 19 pages and have a lot of editing already so it may be cut down to 15.
I was hoping to have this monster under wraps for a May graduation but I'm going to need more time and so it seems December 2012 is when I'll be walking across the stage to get my diploma. Then I wonder, should I even bother walking the stage. I mean I'll get to wear that really cool "hood" which I'll undoubtedly need for when I'm a professor at a college and have to attend other graduations. I just don't know.
The pleasant weekend weather does not help the writing process either. It's no fun being chained in front of the computer when the sun is out and the temps are up and there's yard work to be done. Fortunately today didn't start off with sunshine so I'm writing....not my thesis but I'm writing!
I think the thing I find most frustrating about this writing process is the editing. You know when the professor hands back a paper with arrows and question marks and squiggly lines all over it when you are 100% sure the paper you turned in was concise and required no changes. I think I can officially scratch off being a professional writer from my list of things I want to do when I grow up and it's all editing's fault.
I think I'll shampoo the carpet.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Thursday, September 08, 2011
And We All Float On
The day the "For Sale" sign went up in the front yard was like a kick in the stomach. I thought, well they say the market is slow so maybe it'll be a while till it sells. It wasn't a while. It was a few short months. Next week I will have to say goodbye to a neighbor that has been with my family through it all.
First my parents moved to the neighborhood in 1963, then I was born a few years later. Then, I moved out only to move back in a few short years later upon the death of my parents. We've shared food, picnics, and general neighborly love.
I'll never forget the day in November when Mr. Gable knocked on my door to tell me his wife had died and he broke down in tears. Next week at this time, he will have left his life long home to move cross country to live with his daughter and son-in-law.
The weirdest thing is that I probably will never see him again. It'll be like a death but he will not have died.
I had a farewell dinner for him last Sunday. My family and some other neighbors joined in. I think he was really touched. I hope he was. He is probably one of the nicest people you ever want to meet. Soft-spoken, even tempered, adored his wife.
I used to love to hear them talk about how they met here in Harrisburg back in the 40's. There were dance halls and he used the line that he was related to Clark Gable as a way to talk to her. He bought himself a bike at 70 and would ride over to the community pool for a swim in the summer. She made the best pirogi!
I can't imagine what it must be like to see your entire house full of memories emptied before your eyes in a matter of weeks, saying goodbye to your barber, neighbors, church friends. All of whom you have known for many years.
You always hear people say "it's tough getting old." The reality is we have no idea how tough it really is, until we live it. And we'll all float on, alright.
First my parents moved to the neighborhood in 1963, then I was born a few years later. Then, I moved out only to move back in a few short years later upon the death of my parents. We've shared food, picnics, and general neighborly love.
I'll never forget the day in November when Mr. Gable knocked on my door to tell me his wife had died and he broke down in tears. Next week at this time, he will have left his life long home to move cross country to live with his daughter and son-in-law.
The weirdest thing is that I probably will never see him again. It'll be like a death but he will not have died.
I had a farewell dinner for him last Sunday. My family and some other neighbors joined in. I think he was really touched. I hope he was. He is probably one of the nicest people you ever want to meet. Soft-spoken, even tempered, adored his wife.
I used to love to hear them talk about how they met here in Harrisburg back in the 40's. There were dance halls and he used the line that he was related to Clark Gable as a way to talk to her. He bought himself a bike at 70 and would ride over to the community pool for a swim in the summer. She made the best pirogi!
I can't imagine what it must be like to see your entire house full of memories emptied before your eyes in a matter of weeks, saying goodbye to your barber, neighbors, church friends. All of whom you have known for many years.
You always hear people say "it's tough getting old." The reality is we have no idea how tough it really is, until we live it. And we'll all float on, alright.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Whew!
Thought I lost touch with my old buddy Graven Images for a minute. Somehow I figured it out. I guess that'll teach me to ignore my blog for three months. All this right after I give a professor my blog address to check out the very intellectual and stimulating conversations that go on out here. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
I guess I can say that the ball has been put into motion for this final undertaking on my Master's Degree. I have an idea (I think) but not a very concise one. I understand I may also need to learn how to create a website in the next few months. Luckily, I think there is software that will allow me to just plug in information without having to learn to write code. (yikes)
I think also, it might be nice to use this blog as documentation on the progress of my project. I don't think that would be too boring and it would give me an excuse to keep this thing updated!!
I guess I can say that the ball has been put into motion for this final undertaking on my Master's Degree. I have an idea (I think) but not a very concise one. I understand I may also need to learn how to create a website in the next few months. Luckily, I think there is software that will allow me to just plug in information without having to learn to write code. (yikes)
I think also, it might be nice to use this blog as documentation on the progress of my project. I don't think that would be too boring and it would give me an excuse to keep this thing updated!!
Monday, March 07, 2011
Mamma Needs A New Pair of Shoes
My new dilemma along with all my old dilemmas is what do to with old shoes. I have no trouble deciding what to do with clothing that's outdated and worn out. Well, my clothes don't really get worn out. They're more out of style or "I've had that skirt for a million years it needs to go."
Shoes are a different sort of problem. They're beaten up, and worn (some severely) as I tend to be very hard on shoes but there aren't any holes in them, the soles aren't worn out either. They have just had it.
The dilemma comes in when I wonder what to do with them. I feel badly for pitching them in the trash, because really, there's not much wrong with them. I can't donate them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill because they'll probably just pitch them in the trash because they are too worn.
Then I think if a person in need or a homeless person wouldn't even wear these shoes, why on earth am I holding on to them or (God forbid) still wearing them?!?
And so it goes on....
Shoes are a different sort of problem. They're beaten up, and worn (some severely) as I tend to be very hard on shoes but there aren't any holes in them, the soles aren't worn out either. They have just had it.
The dilemma comes in when I wonder what to do with them. I feel badly for pitching them in the trash, because really, there's not much wrong with them. I can't donate them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill because they'll probably just pitch them in the trash because they are too worn.
Then I think if a person in need or a homeless person wouldn't even wear these shoes, why on earth am I holding on to them or (God forbid) still wearing them?!?
And so it goes on....
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Get Out of Jail Free Card
The great debate in my mind today is how easy it is for the general public to forgive and forget the crimes people commit when they are famous, particularly sports stars.
I've recently noticed some friends jumping on the bandwagon cheering on Michael Vick because he plays for their favorite team and he was voted "Come Back Player of the Year." Um, so??
Some others argue that he's paid his debt to society by doing his time in jail. To which I say, he intentionally and his own profit, tortured, killed and maimed animals. What on earth could jail have done for him? What did he do to repay society while he was in jail? Community service? Perhaps. Donate money to some organization? Who cares? He's got banks full of money now he's out making more of it.
How despicable does a person have to be to not be tolerated in society any longer? Should Charles Manson have gone out for a sport? I mean, doesn't he deserve a break? Hasn't he repaid his debt to society too?
I've recently noticed some friends jumping on the bandwagon cheering on Michael Vick because he plays for their favorite team and he was voted "Come Back Player of the Year." Um, so??
Some others argue that he's paid his debt to society by doing his time in jail. To which I say, he intentionally and his own profit, tortured, killed and maimed animals. What on earth could jail have done for him? What did he do to repay society while he was in jail? Community service? Perhaps. Donate money to some organization? Who cares? He's got banks full of money now he's out making more of it.
How despicable does a person have to be to not be tolerated in society any longer? Should Charles Manson have gone out for a sport? I mean, doesn't he deserve a break? Hasn't he repaid his debt to society too?
Saturday, February 05, 2011
The Paper Delay
I have to have some of the worst writing habits. There's a few of you out there that remind me often to update my blog....and I don't. I have every good intention to do it, but I don't. Now, here I sit, in the dark of my upstairs writing here, when I should be working on a paper for class.
When I do buckle down and start writing for class work, I write for a few minutes and then I stop to play a game on line or check Facebook. I tell myself it helps me think, and maybe it does, but it takes me forever to finish writing a paper!
What will I do in a couple of months when I start writing my thesis for my Master's Degree? A 30 page paper? Yikes, I'm scared to think how long that may take!
When I do buckle down and start writing for class work, I write for a few minutes and then I stop to play a game on line or check Facebook. I tell myself it helps me think, and maybe it does, but it takes me forever to finish writing a paper!
What will I do in a couple of months when I start writing my thesis for my Master's Degree? A 30 page paper? Yikes, I'm scared to think how long that may take!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Nostalgia
At this time last year, I was basking in the warm sun and sand of Grand Cayman Island. Sigh. Right now this area is expecting snow, it's freezing and I can hear the wind howling outside.
Last year at this time, my nephew hadn't graduated from college yet. Now, he's been commissioned as an officer in the Navy and is living on his own in San Diego for the last six months.
Before I go and get all weepy, the bright side is that I have off tomorrow, as I'm not ready to get back into the 9-5 grind again.
I thought too, I'd take advantage of the new layouts on here and catch up with my usual blogger buddies since I've been kind of lazy about this lately.
Last year at this time, my nephew hadn't graduated from college yet. Now, he's been commissioned as an officer in the Navy and is living on his own in San Diego for the last six months.
Before I go and get all weepy, the bright side is that I have off tomorrow, as I'm not ready to get back into the 9-5 grind again.
I thought too, I'd take advantage of the new layouts on here and catch up with my usual blogger buddies since I've been kind of lazy about this lately.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Bittersweet Symphony
Today is bittersweet for two reasons. It's Father's Day and I'd really love to be able to spend the day with my dad. I think he'd be quite proud and interested in where I've been since he left this earth and where I am now, where I'll be in the future. Plus, I'm sure there was more he had to teach me, certainly more questions I would like to ask of him about his music, his art, his life. I'd like to watch him again in action sitting beside someone at the mall that he didn't know who was wearing a Sari or a turban or a yarmulke. He would ask questions, greet them in their native tongue and may ultimately get into a "discussion" on politics or religion. There was always a "discussion" at our house when the unknowing Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormon's would come to the door. My dad loved to debate religion, much to my mother's chagrin.
It's bittersweet secondly because today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. I love that it's officially summer. I love that it's the longest day of the year. But, summer seems to slip by so quickly and before I know it, all of a sudden, I'm smack dab in the middle of October staring down the face of winter. I love that the daylight will be sticking around as long as possible today before giving way to darkness. However, the days to follow the Summer Solstice mean each one is just one second less than the day before. It's almost like death, till we finally reach the true death when fall arrives and everything goes to sleep for the winter.
Every year I say I'm going to live each summer day to it's fullest. I'm going to spend every waking moment in the sunshine as a way to store it all up inside me so when the winter comes I have some left over to chase away the winter blues.
"Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life, Trying to make ends meet, Trying to find some money then you die, I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places, where all the veins meet yeah."
It's bittersweet secondly because today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. I love that it's officially summer. I love that it's the longest day of the year. But, summer seems to slip by so quickly and before I know it, all of a sudden, I'm smack dab in the middle of October staring down the face of winter. I love that the daylight will be sticking around as long as possible today before giving way to darkness. However, the days to follow the Summer Solstice mean each one is just one second less than the day before. It's almost like death, till we finally reach the true death when fall arrives and everything goes to sleep for the winter.
Every year I say I'm going to live each summer day to it's fullest. I'm going to spend every waking moment in the sunshine as a way to store it all up inside me so when the winter comes I have some left over to chase away the winter blues.
"Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life, Trying to make ends meet, Trying to find some money then you die, I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places, where all the veins meet yeah."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Time Travels
Tonight in my class we talked about Coney Island. Not the Coney Island of today that is slowing being chipped away at by land developers, but this Coney Island:
This was the Coney Island that the working class man visited as an escape from the daily grind of his job and the city. This is the Coney Island I want to visit. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it's the innocence of the rides which were tame in comparison to today. Strangely, there was a "Human Zoo" where visitors would climb to the bottom of a ladder and would find themselves in a cage and were on display for other visitors who would feed them peanuts.
Certainly I would not care to put on one of the standard swimsuits for ladies which were made of wool and often weighed 15-20 lbs wet and would require ladies to use ropes to extract them from the ocean after a swim.
I remember my father talking about visiting Coney Island as a kid, but sadly I don't remember him telling me anything more about it.
Perhaps it's nostalgia or the desire to visit a simpler time. I'd love to jump into a time machine and visit Coney Island mid nineteenth century. Of course, I'm sure it would be just as great to return home.
Check out the new addition to my frequently read blogs....Ephemeral New York. Just a plethora of really cool information about a city I adore!
This was the Coney Island that the working class man visited as an escape from the daily grind of his job and the city. This is the Coney Island I want to visit. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it's the innocence of the rides which were tame in comparison to today. Strangely, there was a "Human Zoo" where visitors would climb to the bottom of a ladder and would find themselves in a cage and were on display for other visitors who would feed them peanuts.
Certainly I would not care to put on one of the standard swimsuits for ladies which were made of wool and often weighed 15-20 lbs wet and would require ladies to use ropes to extract them from the ocean after a swim.
I remember my father talking about visiting Coney Island as a kid, but sadly I don't remember him telling me anything more about it.
Perhaps it's nostalgia or the desire to visit a simpler time. I'd love to jump into a time machine and visit Coney Island mid nineteenth century. Of course, I'm sure it would be just as great to return home.
Check out the new addition to my frequently read blogs....Ephemeral New York. Just a plethora of really cool information about a city I adore!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Dress Rehearsal
I think I think alot about death and dying. Perhaps too much. It is a subject that fascinates me and perhaps it has something to do with living in the cold north and coming out of the long, cold nights that makes me think about dying more often around this time of the year. I find that a lot of people die in the winter. It's like they lose hope. I'm thankful that I do not live in even further northern countries that have ten plus hours or more of darkness a day during the winter.
My friend that I mentioned in my previous post has been away this week in Paris. A very bittersweet trip to Paris. I guess it's kind of a last hurrah and he knows that. For me, this week has been sort of a dress rehearsal for things to come. I have had no contact from him, no texting, no calls, no pictures posted on Facebook. In a few days though, I will hear from him and there will be frenzied texting, much chattering on the phone and hopefully lots of pictures. Sadly the day will come when it won't be a dress rehearsal and the phone and Facebook will remain silent. But for today, I will enjoy the sunshine and the fact that he is still with us.
This weekend has been a tease for us at least in south central PA. The sun has been out all weekend, the temps are in the upper 50's. It's a hopeful sign. I haven't looked but I'm sure some of the early spring flowers are beginning to poke through. I can tell the days are getting longer. The snow has almost completely melted. Days like these give me hope that the darkest days are behind us and good things are coming. I am hopeful.
My friend that I mentioned in my previous post has been away this week in Paris. A very bittersweet trip to Paris. I guess it's kind of a last hurrah and he knows that. For me, this week has been sort of a dress rehearsal for things to come. I have had no contact from him, no texting, no calls, no pictures posted on Facebook. In a few days though, I will hear from him and there will be frenzied texting, much chattering on the phone and hopefully lots of pictures. Sadly the day will come when it won't be a dress rehearsal and the phone and Facebook will remain silent. But for today, I will enjoy the sunshine and the fact that he is still with us.
This weekend has been a tease for us at least in south central PA. The sun has been out all weekend, the temps are in the upper 50's. It's a hopeful sign. I haven't looked but I'm sure some of the early spring flowers are beginning to poke through. I can tell the days are getting longer. The snow has almost completely melted. Days like these give me hope that the darkest days are behind us and good things are coming. I am hopeful.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Real Life
The northeast is getting pummeled again with snow. I was at work briefly this morning but they shut down and I was able to make it home to the comfy couch. I was lucky to have missed the storm we had last weekend that dumped about a foot of snow on the ground as I was in Key West celebrating "someone's" 40th birthday. We visited the usual sights on the island and had plenty of beverages to celebrate. The weather was warm and sunny and while my friends at home got pounded with the first round of snow, I was planted firmly on the beach with Jimmy Buffett singing in my ear. It was an absolute perfect day.
Getting home and back to the reality of snow and every day life, I learned that a close friend has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. At last check in November the cancer was gone. Two months later it has progress so far that it has infiltrated the bones. I pray I can be of some comfort and support to my friend. I cannot imagine life without this person. I pray that if my friend does have to leave this earth it can be painlessly and peacefully though I'd rather just keep my friend here with me, but that seems unlikely.
Getting home and back to the reality of snow and every day life, I learned that a close friend has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. At last check in November the cancer was gone. Two months later it has progress so far that it has infiltrated the bones. I pray I can be of some comfort and support to my friend. I cannot imagine life without this person. I pray that if my friend does have to leave this earth it can be painlessly and peacefully though I'd rather just keep my friend here with me, but that seems unlikely.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Modern Day Monk
One of my very creative friends just put her wares up on the Internet. Please stop by, her work is wonderful!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Yes There Are Dumb Questions
I always find it amusing the kind of reaction I get from others when I tell people where I go on vacation. I don't think I've ever been anywhere truly exotic like Africa or Mumbai or Borneo. Since I've been back I've told many stories about our recent trip to the Caymans. Today was no different as I got some of the following comments:
"Are the people friendly?" Um, yes, they aren't spear-carrying tribal people that have never seen a "white man."
"Oh, the Caymans...where are they exactly?" Aren't you embarrassed to even ask that question?
"So, what are the Caymans known for?" Couldn't you quietly go off and Google that instead of asking that question?
"Do you have family there?" No, I do not go on vacation to visit family. That is not usually considered a vacation.
One question I didn't get after returning from this vacation that I have gotten on other vacations was "Why would go there?" Really? Why would you even ask that question? Isn't a better question why wouldn't you go (insert location here?)
Please take a look at the Flickr box in the upper corner of my page for some of the pics of the beautiful Caymans...and maybe you should keep your silly questions to yourself.
"Are the people friendly?" Um, yes, they aren't spear-carrying tribal people that have never seen a "white man."
"Oh, the Caymans...where are they exactly?" Aren't you embarrassed to even ask that question?
"So, what are the Caymans known for?" Couldn't you quietly go off and Google that instead of asking that question?
"Do you have family there?" No, I do not go on vacation to visit family. That is not usually considered a vacation.
One question I didn't get after returning from this vacation that I have gotten on other vacations was "Why would go there?" Really? Why would you even ask that question? Isn't a better question why wouldn't you go (insert location here?)
Please take a look at the Flickr box in the upper corner of my page for some of the pics of the beautiful Caymans...and maybe you should keep your silly questions to yourself.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Grand Cayman, B.W.I.
The last picture I posted was just something I grabbed off the Internet. I knew it was somewhere off the coast of Grand Cayman island but I had no idea I'd actually get to the place in the photo.
My family, Brian and I set off on this journey to Grand Cayman Island on a very cold and dark Christmas morning. In just 4 short hours we were there in the warm sunshine. I also knew I was going to meet a fellow blogger that I had been chatting with for some four years or so, MarkD60.
Mark and his lovely wife were most gracious in making sure we saw some really great things and were invited into their home and circle of friends.
It have gotten quite lazy about blogging since the discovery of Facebook but have promised that I would update this site and continue to meet some really great people around the world that I'd otherwise would have never met.
Thanks Mark for making sure we had a lovely time on the island!
This is most of our crew in the waters (from the previous post) which happens to be Sandbar near Sting Ray City. It was so much fun to swim with these creatures. Yes, it's a bit startling to have them bump into you, but they're just trying to grab some food. They are quite gentle and no, there were no Steve Irwin incidents.
My family, Brian and I set off on this journey to Grand Cayman Island on a very cold and dark Christmas morning. In just 4 short hours we were there in the warm sunshine. I also knew I was going to meet a fellow blogger that I had been chatting with for some four years or so, MarkD60.
Mark and his lovely wife were most gracious in making sure we saw some really great things and were invited into their home and circle of friends.
It have gotten quite lazy about blogging since the discovery of Facebook but have promised that I would update this site and continue to meet some really great people around the world that I'd otherwise would have never met.
Thanks Mark for making sure we had a lovely time on the island!
This is most of our crew in the waters (from the previous post) which happens to be Sandbar near Sting Ray City. It was so much fun to swim with these creatures. Yes, it's a bit startling to have them bump into you, but they're just trying to grab some food. They are quite gentle and no, there were no Steve Irwin incidents.
Monday, December 14, 2009
C'mon Take A Guess!
Very soon, I get to check another item off my list of things to do. I get to meet yet another blogger buddy. That leaves only one of my long-time blog friends that I have yet to meet....and you know who you are!
The person I am going to meet soon lives here. Any guesses?
The person I am going to meet soon lives here. Any guesses?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Pop Pop Pop Muzik
It's official! I'm going to Boston to talk about my paper "No Man's Land, The Question of Gender in Punk Music 1973-1977." It's going to look great on my resume, for whatever that's worth.
Check out their blog! Mid-Atlantic Pop Culture/American Culture Association
Check out their blog! Mid-Atlantic Pop Culture/American Culture Association
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Patiently Waiting
I was recently urged by my Gender Studies professor from this last semester to submit my paper for the class to the Popular/American Culture Association. So, I wrote up a short abstract to summarize my full paper and submitted it to the proper chair person at the association. So, now I must wait. June 15 is the deadline for the call for papers, so after that point I should hear one way or another if I'm supposed to attend the conference in November to present my paper. Ok, now I'm scared. What if the paper does get picked and I have to travel to Boston to present it in front of God knows how many people?? I'm not too worried about that right now. More importantly, vacation is coming up!!
In a couple of weeks I'll be leaving on my first cruise! We're sailing out of New York (which should be very cool!) to Bermuda. I've never been to Bermuda either, so this should be an all around new experience for me. I'm looking forward to it, but also concerned about possible sea sickness. Any time I mention to anyone that I'm going on a cruise they have some horrible story about how sick they got on a cruise or they know of someone that got deathly ill. I will go, armed with Dramamine.
In a couple of weeks I'll be leaving on my first cruise! We're sailing out of New York (which should be very cool!) to Bermuda. I've never been to Bermuda either, so this should be an all around new experience for me. I'm looking forward to it, but also concerned about possible sea sickness. Any time I mention to anyone that I'm going on a cruise they have some horrible story about how sick they got on a cruise or they know of someone that got deathly ill. I will go, armed with Dramamine.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
The Art of Michael Pittari
Go ahead, give it a click. See some wonderful artwork from a former professor of mine.
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